Video summary
How to Use Claude Code in VS Code for FREE – Full Setup & Usage Guide
Main summary
Key takeaways
Overview
This tutorial explains how to use Claude Code (via the OpenRouter extension) in Visual Studio Code for free/low-cost, by:
- Setting up an OpenRouter API key
- Selecting models (including “free” tiers) inside the extension
Setup / Installation (VS Code)
- Open VS Code
- Go to Extensions
- Search for OpenRouter AI
- Click Install
- After installation, open the OpenRouter icon in the extension UI
- The extension prompts for an OpenRouter API key
OpenRouter Account + API Key
- In a browser, go to openrouter.ai
-
Click Sign up (Google or GitHub supported)
-
In the OpenRouter dashboard:
- Open the three-dots / Keys section
- Click Create API Key
- Provide a key name (e.g., “AI free”)
- Leave other fields (credits/limits/expiration) as default
- Copy the API key (it can’t be viewed again later)
Tip: Make sure you copy the API key immediately after creating it.
Using the Extension + Model Selection
- Paste the OpenRouter API key into VS Code when prompted
- Use the extension’s chat interface
- In the UI, check the Models list and select a model, such as:
- “Claude/Cloud set 3.5” (UI text may appear as “Claude Set 3.5” / “cloud sonet 3.5”)
- Note the model’s token limit (approximately 100k–200k tokens, based on the tutorial)
If tokens run out
- Switch to models marked “free”, described as free without the same token constraints, including examples:
- Llama 3.1 (free)
- Llama 3.0 405p instruct (free)
- Phi mini (free)
Conclusion
- It’s not fully “entirely free”.
- But you can keep using the tool by switching to free models once paid/free-tier limits for the main model are exhausted.
Main sources / speakers
- Single tutorial speaker (narrator): walks through the VS Code and OpenRouter steps
- OpenRouter (openrouter.ai): provides API keys and model access
- VS Code OpenRouter AI extension: serves as the in-editor client interface